STYLE: Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 7101-6880 LABEL: Integrity 22932 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £4.99
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
It rather stunned me to hear a Muddy Waters sample as the start of the funky “Get Up” which is one of those enjoyable if by now stylised exhortations for us to get our praise on. Better is “Bout It Bout It” with a satisfying fat back groove. Unfortunately, some of the praise grooves which permeate ‘Real’ are interrupted by rather unnecessary breakdowns. Israel Houghton has a wheezingly soulful voice and on a slow soul ballad like the title track the effect is pretty electrifying. I’m not absolutely convinced that there are enough quality songs here to carry the album but it’s still pleasing to see Integrity Music expanding their musical repertoire.
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Product Description
Israel Houghton started out in full-time ministry in 1989, and was a member of Fred Hammond's Radical For Christ crew for a while. Since those early days, he has gone from strength to strength and is now one of Christian music's foremost worship leaders, songwriters, recording artists and producers.
In addition to working alongside such stellar acts as Anointed, Crystal Lewis and CeCe Winans, Israel serves as the National Director of Music and Worship for a sports-based ministry called Champions for Christ.
'Real' takes worship music to a new level with a retro soul feel reminiscent of Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. It's produced by the Grammy-winning Tommy Sims, and features Andraé Crouch's background vocal group, with such familiar names as Tata Vega and Howard McCrary.
Tracks include 'Better Than Life, Get Up' and 'Nothing Else Matters.'